Associate Product Developer + Designer - Footwear

Kids for the Future; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matched plan

Paid time off and holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Learning resources

Job summary

Weissman is seeking an Associate Product Developer + Designer in St. Louis, hybrid role blending creativity with technical development. You will contribute design ideas, create sketches, and help move footwear from concept through sampling, fit, testing, and production.

You will work with Senior Technical Designer, offshore vendors, and cross‑functional partners, maintaining specs, materials, and development documentation while ensuring design intent, performance, quality, and fit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or related field.
• 3–5 years of footwear design or product development experience.
• Experience with footwear manufacturers or offshore vendors preferred.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; strong sketching ability.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of seasonal footwear styles from initial concept through development and approval.
• Create detailed line sketches and basic technical specifications using Illustrator, Photoshop, and other tools.
• Maintain product specifications, material changes, and development documentation in IMS.
• Collaborate with offshore vendors to communicate specifications and development needs.
• Support prototypes, testing, and product approvals.
• Coordinate fit sessions, schedule models, document fit comments and feedback.
• Maintain development records and project tracking.
• Prepare development reports, agendas, audit materials, and cross-functional communications.
• Manage development‑related administrative activities including sample archives and invoices.

Skills

Footwear design

Technical sketching

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Vendor communication

Project management

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

PLM/PDM exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

• Location 6750 Manchester Avenue,St. Louis, MO, 63139,United States

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Help shape the next generation of Weissman footwear as an Associate Product Developer + Designer. In this role, you’ll combine creativity with technical product development, contributing design ideas and technical sketches while helping move footwear from concept through sampling, fit, testing, and production. You’ll work hands‑on with product specifications, materials, samples, and development documentation to help ensure each style delivers on design intent, performance, quality, and fit.

Working closely with our Senior Technical Designer, offshore vendors, and cross‑functional partners, you’ll gain exposure to the full footwear development process while taking ownership of the details that keep products moving forward. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with footwear design and development experience who enjoys both the creative and technical sides of product creation and thrives in a collaborative, detail‑driven environment.

JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Hybrid (St. Louis, Missouri)

HYBRID POLICY

70% On‑Site

30% Work‑from‑Home

ABOUT US

For more than 60 years, Weissman has helped performance creators bring their visions to life. As a third‑generation, family‑owned company and a leader in the dance industry, we design and deliver beautiful, high‑quality costumes, dancewear, and accessories that support dancers and the people who inspire them through every step of the journey from practice to performance.

What makes Weissman special is the people behind the product. Our work brings together creative thinkers, technical experts, problem solvers, and collaborators across design, merchandising, product development, sourcing, marketing, sales, operations, and more. Because so much of what we do happens under one roof, our teams have the opportunity to work closely across functions, see ideas become reality, and understand how their individual contributions connect to our customers and the performers who ultimately take the stage.

Our culture is grounded in curiosity, collaboration, accountability, and a willingness to keep getting better. We believe people with purpose are unstoppable, information fuels growth, and innovation sets us apart. We encourage our employees to ask questions, share ideas, take ownership of their work, and challenge what’s possible. Whether you’re developing a new product, improving a process, solving a customer need, or supporting the people who make it all happen, there is an opportunity to make an impact here.

At Weissman, our customers are center stage in everything we do. We’re proud of our history, energized by where we’re going, and committed to building an environment where talented people can learn, contribute, grow, and do meaningful work together.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the design and development of seasonal footwear styles from initial concept through development and approval.

Contribute design ideas and create detailed line sketches and basic design specifications using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other creative tools.

Create, update, and maintain product specifications, material changes, seasonal line information, and technical documentation within IMS.

Partner with offshore vendors to communicate product specifications, material needs, revisions, approvals, and other development requirements.

Support footwear development activities including prototypes, construction corrections, specification revisions, testing, and product approvals.

Request, track, organize, and manage incoming and outgoing prototypes, development samples, and photo samples across vendors and the Shanghai office.

Coordinate fit sessions, including scheduling fit models and internal participants, organizing meetings, and documenting fit comments and product feedback.

Maintain accurate development records and project tracking to ensure product information, specifications, samples, and documentation remain current throughout the development process.

Prepare development reports, meeting agendas, audit materials, and other communications that support alignment across internal and external partners.

Manage development‑related administrative and operational activities, including sample archives, fit agreements, invoices, and other documentation needed to keep projects progressing on schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience, required.

Formal education or hands‑on experience specifically within footwear design and development preferred.

Experience

3 to 5 years of experience in footwear design, product development, or a related role required.

Demonstrated understanding of the footwear development process from design and specification through sampling, fit, testing, and approval.

Experience working with footwear manufacturers, suppliers, or offshore vendors preferred.

Experience using PDM, PLM, or other software‑based product specification systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills + Abilities

Working knowledge of footwear design and development, including technical sketching, specification revisions, product corrections, and multiple shoe construction methods.

Understanding of footwear manufacturing principles, including lasting, prototyping, last corrections, jigs, markings, engineered insoles and outsoles, and basic product costing.

Ability to translate creative concepts and design ideas into detailed line sketches and basic technical product specifications.

Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, along with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and AI‑enabled creative tools.

Ability to effectively communicate technical specifications, product revisions, and approval requirements with offshore vendors and internal partners.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to accurately manage product data, samples, documentation, and multiple development timelines.

Strong written communication, problem‑solving, decision‑making, and time management skills.

Ability to balance creative thinking with technical accuracy and attention to detail throughout the product development process.

Self‑motivated and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing development needs and deadlines.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

• Health + Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including company‑paid vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents and a company‑funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus employer‑paid life, AD+D, Short‑Term Disability, and Long‑Term Disability benefits.
• Paid Time Away: 88 hours of PTO upon hire, increasing with tenure, plus Short Notice PTO and nine company‑paid holidays.
• Family Support: Paid parental and adoption leave for eligible employees.
• Learning + Career Growth: Professional development through the Momentum Series, Weissman Learning Studio, unlimited LinkedIn Learning, Career Pathways, tuition reimbursement, and certification assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential resources for employees and household members, including counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, mental health resources, and personal growth support.
• Competitive Compensation: A Market‑Plus compensation philosophy designed to target pay above the market median while recognizing performance, internal equity, and individual impact.
• Weekly Pay: Employees are paid every week.